online medical dictionary | definition of voluble

1. Easily rolling or turning; easily set in motion; apt to roll; rotating; as, voluble particles of matter.

2. Moving with ease and smoothness in uttering words; of rapid speech; nimble in speaking; glib; as, a flippant, voluble, tongue. "[Cassio] a knave very voluble." (Shak)

Voluble was used formerly to indicate readiness of speech merely, without any derogatory suggestion. "A grave and voluble eloquence."

3. Changeable; unstable; fickle.

4. <botany> Having the power or habit of turning or twining; as, the voluble stem of hop plants.

<botany> Voluble stem, a stem that climbs by winding, or twining, round another body. Vol"ubleness, Vol"ubly.

Origin: L. Volubilis, fr. Volvere, volutum, to roll, to turn round; akin to Gr. To infold, to inwrap, to roll, G. Welle a wave: cf. F. Voluble. Cf. F. Well of water, Convolvulus, Devolve, Involve, Revolt, Vault an arch, Volume, Volute.

(01 Mar 1998)